Cushings Disease

[moyu]

I am almost certain my little dog has Cushings Disease. She is booked in for testing on Monday. Can anyone iell me how they have managed this camplaint? Any stories good or bad would be appreciated. She is showing the classic symptoms , e.g. distended stomach etc.increased hunger and thirst.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I lost my dog in July to Cushings. She had the pituitary tumour (the less common and inoperable type of Cushings).

She was about 12 when she got it. She always remained very thirsty but for the whole four years she was on chemotherapy. I'd actually just bought more - it's very expensive and in tablet form - you are welcome to have them if you need them, just pm me and I'll post them to you.

She had little fits if she overexercised and she couldn't have surgery unless she came off the chemo for a few months first. She had to have a growth removed and we did a dental at the same time but due to the chemo, she had to be on a drip for a day first - whole op and growth (in mouth) removal/testing cost $1000 and that was 2 years ago!

She had to be put to sleep because the tumour had begun pressing on her brain, causing her to have anxiety attacks, particularly during the night, for a few days in a row. She was very distressed and only the previous week had been running round the park and I was marvelling at how well she was doing. I miss her very much, my dear little Dixie.

[Erny]

However there are Cushing's cases aren't there, that are well treated and maintained for a reasonable longevity?

Good luck Moyu. Fingers crossed for your girl.

ETA: There is a heap of information to be found on the internet in relation to Cushings. I had the links stored in my old computer, but something's gone wrong and I can't access them. If you post in the health forum they'll be able to help you more there.

Edited October 26, 2008 by Erny

[Charles Kuntz]

Cushing's disease is caused by an excessive production of cortisone by the adrenal glands. It results in hair coat problems, liver disease, skin problems, decreased wound healing, decreased ability to fight infection, excessive coagulation of the blood, diabetes, and numerous other problems. Clinical signs include, in addition to the above, increased urination and drinking, excessive panting, muscle wasting and pendulous abdomen. THe causes of Cushing's disease include pituitary (85% of cases) where the the pituitary gland produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH- the hormone that tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisone) usually due to a microadenoma (microscopic tumour) or less commonly due to a macroadenoma (large and visible tumour- on an MRI or CT scan). The other type of Cushing's is called adrenal dependent which is due to an adrenal tumour. Adrenal tumours can be benign or malignant. The most important step after Cushing's is diagnosed is determining whether it is due to pituitary or adrenal problems. If it is pituitary, the treatment options include medical management (convincing the adrenal glands to produce less cortisone- fairly expensive and high-intensity) and radiation of the pituitary gland (fairly expensive). This is moderately effective and control of the cushing's is for a few years. If it is adrenal dependent, the best option is surgery, if it is not too invasive. I have done about 60 adrenalectomies with very good results and only about 3% perioperative mortality. That means that they do not require any more medical management in the future and they rarely spread to other organs (ie curative). If I had to choose, I would prefer adrenal dependent with adrenalectomy than pituitary dependent. Unfortunately, we can't choose, and pituitary dependent is most common.

Hope this helps.

Charles

[Erny]

Cushing's disease is caused by an excessive production of cortisone by the adrenal glands. It results in hair coat problems, liver disease, skin problems, decreased wound healing, decreased ability to fight infection, excessive coagulation of the blood, diabetes, and numerous other problems. Clinical signs include, in addition to the above, increased urination and drinking, excessive panting, muscle wasting and pendulous abdomen. THe causes of Cushing's disease include pituitary (85% of cases) where the the pituitary gland produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH- the hormone that tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisone) usually due to a microadenoma (microscopic tumour) or less commonly due to a macroadenoma (large and visible tumour- on an MRI or CT scan). The other type of Cushing's is called adrenal dependent which is due to an adrenal tumour. Adrenal tumours can be benign or malignant. The most important step after Cushing's is diagnosed is determining whether it is due to pituitary or adrenal problems. If it is pituitary, the treatment options include medical management (convincing the adrenal glands to produce less cortisone- fairly expensive and high-intensity) and radiation of the pituitary gland (fairly expensive). This is moderately effective and control of the cushing's is for a few years. If it is adrenal dependent, the best option is surgery, if it is not too invasive. I have done about 60 adrenalectomies with very good results and only about 3% perioperative mortality. That means that they do not require any more medical management in the future and they rarely spread to other organs (ie curative). If I had to choose, I would prefer adrenal dependent with adrenalectomy than pituitary dependent. Unfortunately, we can't choose, and pituitary dependent is most common.

Hope this helps.

Charles

Thanks for posting the above, Charles. My avatar girl was suspected of having Cushings at one point and I recall I looked up and read much information about it. I actually remember hoping the diagnosis would be Cushings as I knew that it would possibly give us options and was by far a better diagnosis than the alternative. Sadly this was not to be the case and I had no alternative other than to give my girl her 'wings' after a length of palliative care a couple of years ago.

So there's definitely hope for your dog Moyu and I wish you all the best for the best possible outcome in the diagnosis.

OT : Charles .... I know your seminar in Melbourne is fast approaching and I would like to try to arrange to attend. I'm hoping there will still be placements left by the time I can re-arrange my schedule .

Cheers

Erny

Edited October 27, 2008 by Erny

[Charles Kuntz]

There are definitely spots available. I have just finished putting the lecture together. It should be entertaining and informative for everyone.

Charles

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

My girl lasted 4 years in relatively good health.

It was a very expensive and onerous diagnosis and initial treatment process, it cost about $3000 in 2004 as I recall. I was also supposed to pay about $500 every 2 months for special tests. As I have another dog that is very sickly and has also cost me many thousands of dollars, this was a major worry for me. I decided to see how we went, changed vets and did not have the tests every 2 months and her medication levels remained constant, the tests were always OK when carried out.

Vets have different opinions, my new vet would not have put her through all the traumas of diagnosis and initial treatment because she was already about 12 years of age. She developed a tremendous fear of going to the vet which she'd never had before and it never left her. I found administering the chemo to be very stressful but I understand there are newer treatments available now.

I hope that if your dog does have Cushings, that it will be the operable kind.

[Kelly_Louise]

My lovely old cattle dog (11yo next year) was diagnosed with Cushings in March this year. It was terrifying, but after the initial diagnosis (she has no adrenal tumours - so we are under the assumption it is a pituitary tumour)she was put on Trilostane tablets - just given with a little food twice a day - that's all. It is expensive, but has brought her to almost perfect levels and doesn't seem to have any bad side effects. Her coat has come back with a vengeance - and I mean she has so much hair she looks like a barrel on legs. She has her testing every 2nd time we need a prescription - so about every 3 months just to make sure her levels are all okay (which they have been right from the start of meds luckily) and to see if her dosage needs to be adjusted - this will taper off soon. She is still on 2 tablets a day, but is doing well so we can't complain.

Her arthritis IS playing up a little more now, but she is still a happy girl and loves her walks. Most of the symptoms of cushings went away very quickly after starting her meds. So far, so good for us - and we were really lucky to have had a good experience so far (other than the cost OMG!).

We were told that most pituitary tumours are slow moving, and in most cases do not cause the dog any problems before they pass of other causes. Of course, this isn't always the case... but Chloe has not ever shown any signs of it being a problem other than the actual Cushings symptoms. And I pray that it doesn't affect her before her time comes.

There are alot of scary facts out there, best to be aware of them and be as informed as possible - I can't tell you some of the scary things we were told that kept me awake, but best be guided by your vet - every experience is different. Once the initial testing is done and you find out exactly what you are dealing with - at least you will understand which is the best course of action and know you are doing the best possible thing.

I understand how scary it is... and I hope that if your girl does have Cushings, that you will be in the best possible scenario for your situation. Our girls adventure with Cushings is far from over, but it has been good considering what others have been through - and pray that it continues as my girl means the world to me.

Best of luck - please let us know how you go.

Edited October 28, 2008 by Kelly_Louise

[moyu]

Thank you all very much for your replies and information provided. My dog has had the tests done, results should be available Friday or Monday at the latest. I am worried , she is quite dpressed and was putting on too much weight. My vet has suggested restricting her food somewhat. Even withholding food completely some days. She never seems to fill up and would eat anything offered to her. I will keep you informed of progress. moyu

[Kelly_Louise]

Yes, Chloe also had a ravenous appetite - she would almost eat your hand off if you offered her food. Once her treatment starts though, that should subside - as well as her insatiable thirst, and eventually the weight as well.

Fingers crossed that the tests will give you some peace, and that your little dog will soon be on the road to recovery. There's no cure of course, but at least it can be managed so that your dog can hopefully live a happy and normal life - and also yourself as I know how worrying it can be.

Best of luck to you and your little one.

[Erny]

Thank you all very much for your replies and information provided. My dog has had the tests done, results should be available Friday or Monday at the latest. I am worried , she is quite dpressed and was putting on too much weight. My vet has suggested restricting her food somewhat. Even withholding food completely some days. She never seems to fill up and would eat anything offered to her. I will keep you informed of progress. moyu

Good luck Moyu - fingers are crossed for the best possible diagnosis result.

This is going to sound silly because it is such a basic thing that I presume your Vet would have by now ruled in or out one way or the other. But I presume tests were done to check for thyroid issues?

[Kelly_Louise]

Any news yet Moyu?

[Loraine]

My 12 yr old mini poodle was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. He was managed with Lysodren (a chemo drug) for 3 years. This stopped the indoor peeing, and lessened his thirst and hunger. I joined a US group, where there are pups who have lived long lives. If the dog is teated and treated correctly there is absolutely no reason why they cannot live out their normal lifespan. My Coco went to the Bridge at 15.5 due tp kidney failure, nto connected with his Cushing's. If you would like any further info on Lysodren or Trilostane (the latest drug) please email me at [email protected].

[moyu]

Well I now have my doggies' results. All blood tests came back normal. Having said that she is still rather depressed & lethargic looking. She does have a dodgy liver and my vet thinks mabe it was a pancreatitis episode. However she is to have another test for Cushings in 2 to 3 months as apparently it does not always show up immediately in the early stages.

On Dec 5th she is to have a bile acid test and Kelly Louise, she will have her thyroid tested at that time. Thank you for that suggestion, and no she has not been tested for that previously.

She is currently on a strict diet, canned L.D. Prescription food which she does not really like . This is helping to get her weight down as she eats smaller meals. The insatiable thirst has gone , as has the weeing inside.

I guess there are some positives in all of this but the diagnosis is still rather inconclusive.

Thank you all for your interest , I will let you know how things unfold.

[Kelly_Louise]

Hi Moyu,

I didn't actually bring up the thyroid, but it's good she is being tested for other things to determine what could be the problem. I do hope it's nothing too serious.

Cushings is one of those things that is very difficult to diagnose, Chloe had a range of tests before we were given the results. So it's good that your vet is keeping it under notice just in case.

I guess it is good news that she does not have a Cushings diagnosis, and hopefully they can get to the cause of her issues soon. I know what it's like to know your dog is sick and feel helpless. Our normal vet was taking a long time to diagnose what was causing Chloes illness, so I took her to a specialist as I could not bear to watch her suffer and be uncomfortable. It was only then that we got a diagnosis and were able to get it under control so she was feeling better.

Please do keep us updated - I understand how worried you must be, not knowing what is wrong, how serious, and how to help your girl.

Best of luck and hoping your girl is okay.

[moyu]

No Kelly Louise it was Erny who mentioned the thyroid, thanks Erny I do want to cover all possibilities. When I Googled canine thyroid certainly the symptoms were very simular. From what you have to say Kelly Louise diagnosis is not all that simple or straight forward. Will keep you updated certainly.

[moyu]

No Kelly Louise it was Erny who mentioned the thyroid, thanks Erny I do want to cover all possibilities. When I Googled canine thyroid certainly the symptoms were very simular. From what you have to say Kelly Louise diagnosis is not all that simple or straight forward. Will keep you updated certainly.

Well after weeks of waiting and more tests we are about to embark on some treatment for a thyroid condition. JHust waiting on the medication to arrive.

All tests to this stage are negative to Cushings, however this is without an ultra sound which will be the next step if Minnie does not respond to this round of treatment.

Some abnormalities were found in the thyroid. my vet suggests we go this way rather than subject Minnie to more tests so here's hoping.

Thankyou for that suggestion Erny as the vet had not proposed that test. Minnie is not too bad, has slowed down and still has a saggy belly and huge appetite for a tiny dog. Her coat is fine and no excessive weeing or drinking.

Will keep you informed and thankyou all for your concern .

[dogbesotted]

Good Luck!

H

[Kelly_Louise]

Best wishes to you and your little one Moyu. Here's hoping that you will finally get the right treatment happening so your baby can get on track to get much better.